A New England autumn wedding.

Photos: Robert Sukrachand

So many lovely touches (and so much love!) at Sarah and Joe's autumn wedding in Connecticut. The bride wore Oysters & Pearls. You can see more gorgeous photos (some of gourds) here and here.

Fall crush.

Photo: Patrick A. Wilson

This is my favorite photo from the set Amber sent over from her wedding. I customized her dress by embellishing the bodice all over with antique lace flowers and appliqués. I love how the delicacy of the lace is punched up by all those gothic grape and berry tones, the luscious fall flowers, and her va-va-voom lipstick. Spin that color wheel, o Brides of 2012. There is life beyond Blush and Bashful.

2012 BRIDAL COLLECTION

 For Emily. Silk shantung, chantilly lace illusion bodice, tulle skirt overlay.
Velvet ribbon waist detail with silk organza flower.

Beatrix. Gold embroidered blossom tulle over duchess satin.

Keepsake. French Chantilly lace gown with scoop back, ruffle neckline.

Circa. Silk shantung with silk organza circle skirt overlay.
Linen ribbon waist detail, double blossom corsage.
Also available full length.

Giselle. Silk shantung, English tulle skirt overlay, Alençon lace waist d

etail.

Honeychurch. Silk charmeuse with chantilly lace bodice, lace flutter sleeves, tulle skirt overlay.

Musette. Alençon lace dropped waist bodice, silk chiffon tea length skirt, ribbon sash.

Oysters & Pearls. Alençon lace bodice with hand applied chiffon details and vintage pearl beading, silk chiffon skirt.
Also available knee length.

Paperwhite. Lace embroidered tulle tiers over silk/cotton.

Paperwhite gown. Lace embroidered tulle tiers over silk/cotton.
Ruched bodice detail and gathered tulle cap sleeves.

Persuasion. Silk shantung with English tulle skirt overlay, Alençon lace empire waist detail.

Tempest. Grey cotton satin bodice, English tulle skirt overlay. Velvet ribbon waist detail, silk organza flower corsage.

credits.
Photos: Lisa Warninger
Makeup: Katy Simmons
Model: Ashley Anthony

A very special project.

Photos: Greg Pacek

Kristina is a lovely lady from Toronto who brought to me a family heirloom wedding dress from the early years of the 20th century. Though the dress itself wasn't quite wearable, it was decorated with some exquisite chantilly lace--the kind you just can't get anymore--in a perfect shade of mellow antique ivory. The dress also featured a sweet pearly beaded trim, stitched by careful hands almost a hundred years ago (you can see it making an appearance at the waistband of Kristina's dress). Making the most of two in-person meetings (one in San Francisco, one in Portland), Kristina and I collaborated on the dress you see. I used almost every inch of the original lace to embellish the bodice and an underlayer of the skirt--the smallest scraps were fashioned into flowers with lace and silk organza petals, which were appliquéd on the bodice. The skirt is organza and tulle over silk shantung--the gauzy layers helping to harmonize old and new materials. I truly loved working on this dress, and she wears it beautifully. Thanks, Kristina, and best wishes.

Dots and dahlias.

Photos: Emily Gutman

So excited to spy Lisa's wedding on the Flora Grubb website. I custom made her dress from a very special swiss dot cotton I found after weeks of searching. As fellow fabric nerds out there know, there is swiss dot and then there is real swiss dot--fine weave, soft hand, woven dot, you know it when you see it. The lovely Lisa flew up from San Francisco for her fittings and was an absolute dream to work with. I'm crazy about the whole look of her wedding and her super stylish, informal-yet-modern bouquet. More photos of the exquisite florals here.

Best wishes, sweet lady!

The before picture.

If you've walked past The English Dept.'s windows and wondered what's up, we're devoting our weekend to a bit of a shop remodel. Please pardon our appearance while we update our wee space for the coming season. We reopen Tuesday!

Beauty and the breeze.

Nicole looking gorgeous and beach-blown in Honeychurch.

Sometimes, you just know.

It's French (of course), ornamented all over with a twining foil embroidery, and it's the most elusively perfect shade of platinum-y ivory, like it leapt out of the 1920s and into my arms. My little head is a-swim with wild ideas. This will make the gauziest, prettiest gown for a very, very special schoolbook-fairy bride. I know you're out there…I just haven't met you yet.

As a secret gardener myself, I love–love–this romantic inspiration board on Style Me Pretty…featuring my Honeychurch gown.

Memphis Bonding.

Photos: Our Labor of Love

Such fresh and pretty photos from Allison, who was married in Memphis this summer. The bride wore Giselle, customized with tulle straps (nice touch!). Photos by one of my very favorite wedding photographers, Our Labor of Love.

Continuing the rural mood...I just spotted Eujin's barn-tastic bridal photos over on the Lovely blog--the bride wore Giselle.